Protests will be underway Thursday after bills that would allow the Philadelphia 76ers to build a new $1.3 billion arena in Center City were passed out of committee, including a $60 million community benefits agreement.

The legislation needed to authorize the $1.3 billion project is not expected to get a final vote until Council’s Dec. 19 meeting. But the committee vote on Wednesday all but guaranteed passage.

Philadelphia City Council has taken a crucial step to help green-light controversial plans to build a new Sixers arena in Center City by passing a series of bills Thursday morning.